The Osceola times., 1887-06-25
THE OLD SACHEL.
How 100000 Was Carried From
Albany to New York.

Several years ago, the Commissioner
Of Insurance for the State of New York
had. upon a certain afternoon, received
into his hands the sum of one hundred
thousand dollars in cash, which it was
absolutely necessary, for some reason,
should be in the vaults of the Sub
Treasury in New York City by ten
o'clock the following day. The COM
missioner at first thought of going him
self and delivering it to the proper
officials; but as it was not convenient
for him to do so. he decided TO trust
the money in the hands of his
private secretary, Mr.. s., man
every way worthy of the confidence
reposed in him by his superior
officer. As the commissioner was CIV
ing Mr.. S. some special instructions
regarding the funds, and about placing
in his hands a large-sized office satchel
containg the money, it was noticed
that there were two or three men, who
doubtless understood the import of the
mission, standing in and around the
office of the commissioner. 1t was
now almost time foi the five p. m ex-
press train for New York. Mr.. S. thought,
however, that by fastening his steps
somewhat, he would have time to 90
10 his house. make some hasty prepa-
ration for his trip, inform his wife of
his intended journey, and bid her
adieu. This he Il d; but before he had
left the house his wife very prudently
suggested that, instead of carrying the
money in his oflice-bag, which. eing
marked "lnsurance Dept" might at
tract attention, he should place this
bag in an old satchel of his own, which
was larger, aud much the worse for
wear. Acting upon this suggestion, he
FASTENED from the door; and as he
passed out he noticed a man leaning
lesurely against lamp-post near by.
He thought but little of the circum-
stance, until he saw this same man
again on the platform of the ear in
which he had taken his seat, and evil
IDENTIFY designing to take the train for
New York, or some way-station be-
.yond Albany This fact set Mr.. 5. to
thinking. That countenance somehow
was familiar; he had seep it before, he
was sure, but when or where he could
not tell. He was troubled.
Somehow this circumstance seemed
20 him to betoken evil. At last, con-
sidering the matter he remembered
the fact of the men standing near the
office as he was about leaving it; and
decided that the man seen by the lamp
post and standing on the platform of
his ear was one of those men. Soon
after the train started from Albany
this man, in company with another,
took his seat inside the car, and direct
ly opposite the one which Mr.. 5. oecu-
pied. His watchful eye kept track of
them and their doings; for he by this
time had fully decided in his own mind
what were their evil designs. And
now what should he dop He felt a
great responsibility resting upon him.
To appear to be disturbed by the pres
cnce of these men would not be wise.
To keep close watch and guard over
that old sachel. and by that very guar
danship attract attention to IT, would
by no means do. So, though in fact
he was greatly worried and distressed,
he decided to put on a nonchdtam air,
and appear to give no heed to them or
TO the trust committed to his care.
The night was cool, and he decided
10 take seat by the stove and pretend
to drop asleep. So giving the satchel
toss upon the wook-box, as If it was
something of no value whatever, he
prepared himself for an evening nap,
pulling his hat over his eyes. stretching
his limbs in careless way in front to-
ward the stove. and reclining his head
on the back of the seat In this posi-
ton, though apparently asleep, he was
in reality watching those who were
watching him. This apparent careless
ness on his part seemed to throw the
men somewhat off their track, and the
hope of Mr.. S. was thus to rid himself
entirely of their company. He saw,
however, that they were still watching
him very carefully. With newspaper
before them they pretended to read,
but were evidently counseling together
as TO what should be their next move.
Soon one of the men arose from his
seat, walked leisurely down the isle
OF the car, and then back again,
and finally took a seat near
the stove. on the edge Of the
wood-box. whore lay the coveted treas
ure. Before long, Mr.. s. awakened
from his sleep ~. yawned carelessly.
nd. sealing ~ man sItting by ~